pune - The Educational Capital of India

The Educational Capital of India- Pune has been known as the “Oxford of the East” since the times of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The city draws in large number of students from both India as well as abroad. Pune is the ideal destination for students aiming for higher education as the institutes located here offer a variety of courses ranging from medicine, engineering, biochemistry, and biotechnology to mass communication, astronomy and so on.

The wide range of courses is supported by excellent infrastructure facilities and cultural platforms. Students from the whole of Southeast Asia find Pune a pleasant and welcoming city.

Pune has several universities (including deemed universities) namely Bharati Vidyapeeth, Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economics, Symbiosis International Education Centre, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth and University of Pune.

Pune University, the temple of higher learning in the city was established in 1948, playing an important role in making Pune a favourite among students. Almost all the colleges in Pune are affiliated to Pune University. The university consists of 41 post-graduate departments, 265 affiliated colleges and 135 recognized institutions, with an enrollment of 1,70,000 students for both the under-graduate and post-graduate courses in different faculties. The renowned University was founded in 1948. The University of Pune formerly known as the University of Puna, situated in north western Pune, is one of the India’s premier universities.

In 1949, there were only 18 colleges affiliated with the university, with an enrollment of over 8000 students. In 2004 the university had 46 graduate departments, 269 affiliated colleges and 118 recognized research institutions, with enrollments of 1,70,000 students for both the undergraduate and graduate courses in different subjects.

Other Universities in Puna include the Government College of Engineering, Deccan College, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, PICT (Pune Institute of Computer Technology), Gokhale Institute of Economics and Politics, Bharati Vidyapeeth and the Symbiosis. For higher education 110 years old Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha is a famous women’s college for engineering, Architecture, Information Technology, MBA, Nursing and Fashion Technology. Very recently Pune University has opened a first offshore branch in Dubai to expand its higher education programs.

Pune can also be considered as a research hub of India owing to its various research institutions of importance. Some of the institutes which are of national importance and are also affiliated to Pune University are, the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), MACS, Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), National Institute of Virology (NIV), Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics and Deccan College among others.

The city has some of the best colleges of the country to name a few there are Armed Forces Medical College, Symbiosis Colleges, Film and Television Institute of India.

Pune has many engineering institutes (AICTE approved) among them the known ones are College of Engineering, Bharati Vidyapeeth Engineering College, Maharashtra Institute of Technology and the College of Military Engineering.

Pune has few medical colleges which include Armed Forces Medical College, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College with others. Pune has 42 management colleges.

Institutes of Symbiosis International University, one of India’s leading Educational Institutions known for providing quality education for more than 30 years are spread across Pune. The Symbiosis Society in Pune has 34 academic institutions and 14 campuses in and around the city.

The students can also do in-depth studies in archival history, politics, economics and culture in the institutes such as the Deccan College, the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics and the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.

Pune offers education to maximum number of foreign students in India. Every year approximately 4000 students from across the globe come to the city to avail its world class academic programs. The teaching quality, available resources, experienced and dedicated faculty, have all made Pune a favored education destination.

Over the years, it is seen that the established and the new educational institutes have adapted themselves to the commercial growth of the city. Most of the institutes have tied up with various industries so that the students can have practical and project based experience with the theoretical knowledge.

In 2008, the University of Oxford announced that it plan’s to establish the Oxford University India Business Centre (OUIBC) at Pune. This will be Oxford Business School’s first offshore facility.

Crores of rupees are being spent to provide world class infrastructure and living conditions at this peaceful area to attract students even from Europe, the US and Australia. The education barons believe that within ten years from now, Lavale area of Pune district will develop into the country’s largest education hub proving all kind of education.

Pune’s reputation of being an educational destination lies in its ability to keep in tune with the rapid changing education scenario of the country. The city’s quick connectivity, growing infrastructure, affordable housing and easy access have made all the difference. Let’s now explore Pune’s educational potential.